Koala Karl back in green and gold
Karl Vilips at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship 2019. (Photo Golf Australia / Justin Falconer)
Australian golf fans rarely get to see what is located in the US in Karl Vilips, but the full wares of the future star can be seen this week at Sheshan International.
The World No.45 is one of six Australians competing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship 2019 in Shanghai and one of the popular favorites to take home the silverware.
Last year Vilips won gold at the Olympic Youth Olympic Games in Rio and played alongside Grace Kim from NSW under the Aussie flag and he hopes for more profit in green and gold around the corner.
But if it is not for Western Australian this week, the experience of reuniting with some old friends and losing it while they represent more than just themselves is an experience to remember.
"When I lived in Australia, I knew David and Blake a little and we played a few tournaments this summer [in the US]," Vilips told the media on Tuesday.
"I don't think I've ever been in a team with these guys, and only the entire team environment that the country represents is special to me and all of these guys.
"Only the whole aspect of traveling together, eating out together, exercising together this morning, it is an experience that not everyone gets, so when you get it, you cherish it."
Karl, Dave and Blake front the media in Shanghai
Few in the field, let alone in the Australian contingent, hit Shanghai as well as Vilips this week.
The 18-year-old flew the flag for the Aussies during the recent American amateur in Pinehurst, Vilips, who shot all the way to the quarter-finals.
He finished 9th with the Western Amateur and 3rd with The Junior Players on either side of it and in 2019 alone he has six top 10 & # 39; s around the world.
"The American amateur was such a high-level field and many of the tournaments I played this summer had good results," said Vilips.
"I didn't have many finishes outside the top 10, but I didn't have any wins either.
"Hopefully everything clicks together this past summer and good results will come."
And there is no better time to play good golf, with the winner in Shanghai handed places in the 2020 Masters and The 149th Open at Royal St. George & # 39; s.
In Tuesday's press conference, Vilip's teammate and World No.4 echoed Dave Micheluzzi & # 39; s thoughts about the importance of keeping an eye on high interests when on the golf course this week.
“There is not much pressure when you are on the golf course. You play one of the best tournaments in the world, "said Vilips.
"Only being able to win and play at the Masters and The Open, not many people get that chance … is special and I'm looking forward to it."
Hear from Jack, Kyle and Nathan for their Australian debut
Unlike teammates Micheluzzi and Blake Windred who turn pro if they don't lift the trophy this week, the amateur career of Vilips is by no means over.
He plans to become a member of Stanford University next year to dive into the world of American college golf.
Hopefully it is the start of a long career that is comparable to that of some more famous Stanford Alumni.
"I'm looking forward to experiencing that," said Vilips.
"Tiger Woods went there and many greats. I think that's an important experience for me because I'm already in the US, going to school and playing college tournaments and getting the NCAA title.
"If that progresses in the right direction, then the professional career is in the future."
Reading: It's winning or going home for Micheluzzi, Windred on AAC
Jack Thompson is the first Australian on Thursday morning, the 21-year-old starts at 6:45 AM local time (8:45 AM AEST) for the 10th tee.
Micheluzzi is behind the group, alongside AAC champion Lin Yuxin and Indian star Rayhan Thomas.
Vilips follows Micheluzzi at 7:05 local time, accompanied by the Japanese sensation Keita Nakajima.
The AAC campaign by Nathan Barbieri also starts on the 10th, 15 minutes after Vilips.
Newcastle & # 39; s World No.11 Blake Windred is in the must-see group of the day, starting from the 1st at 11:10 am local time alongside World No.2 Takumi Kanaya and No.9 Chun An You from Taiwan.
And Kyle Michel is the last of the six Australians on course on Thursday, exit at 11.30 a.m. local time from the 1st.